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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kaitlin Easton

Heartwarming moment little Scots girl with rare condition takes first steps for Christmas after life-changing surgery

The heartwarming moment a young Scots girl took her first steps after a life-changing surgery has been caught on camera just in time for Christmas.

We previously told how little Arabella Green, known as Ella, was diagnosed with rare condition arthrogryposis, which affects the joints, as a baby and was desperate to walk despite her parents being told she would never be able to.

Dad William, 35, from Bathgate, is now over the moon to have witnessed his daughter experience walking for the first time at six-years-old after his momentous fundraising effort for her surgery.

Ella has been undergoing treatment in Poland.

Ella lost her mum Catherine, 27, to suicide on March 16 and elated William said she would have been ecstatic at her daughter's progress.

He told the Record: "Seeing Ella walk for the first time was amazing.

"She has done brilliantly and I am so proud of her. Her life is dramatically going to improve.

"At first she was scared and she was saying 'Don't let go dad, I'll fall'.

"But as soon as she started walking with her physio she was smiling and she was over the moon. She deserves it, especially after everything she's been through.

"This was Ella's mums dream. She started the fight to help her walk and it's just a shame she's not here to finish it. But I know she is guiding Ella.

"I just wish she was here to hold her hand."

Ella's family say they have received the 'best Christmas present possible' after watching her walk for the first time.

But the moment has been bitter sweet for William as although little Ella's dream has come true, it hasn't been an easy road.

Arabella and mum Catherine (Supplied)

"It will be worth it in the end, but watching her go through all the pain is difficult," William said.

"There have been some bad times, especially when she has wanted her mum. Behind the scenes there is a lot of pain but she is a tough cookie.

"She hasn't just been handed it. She thought she was going to wake up and be able to walk, but there has been a lot of work. I've been struggling just watching her go through what she is going through. It's not easy.

"I know one day she'll thank me for it."

With William documenting Ella's journey on Facebook page Princess Ella's Fight to Walk, her story has reached thousands of people around the globe.

Families from across the world have reached out to William to say Ella's story has inspired them and given them the strength to fight for their children.

This, William says, gave him the strength to go on for his daughter at the darkest of times.

The pair will enjoy Christmas in Poland before flying home to Scotland on January 14.

Due to ongoing treatment, Ella will then return to Poland on February 28 for more physiotherapy until April 15.

A fundraiser for related costs is still running and donations can be made by clicking here.

William added: "The people that Ella has inspired is unbelievable. Our dream has turned into reality.

"Now I want to help other parents not accept no as an answer for their children."

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